Worklist:
Assemble the full 6-board exhibition layout!
Play trains.
Unfortunately, Laurence was unable to join us for what became a memorable occasion.
We had decided the previous week that today we would try and assemble the 'future' 6-board exhibition layout in its straight format. Measurements and quick sketches indicated that it was possible, but would it be operable? Geoff had fabricated a small frame to sit on his work desk and the main station end board was offered up with a temporary cardboard box to support the other end. The trestles normally supporting the next two board joints were put in place, and the boards bolted on. Then the two new scenic boards we had been working on were also attached. These boards were made slightly differently and so location blocks on top of the two trestles had to be trimmed down slightly. Finally, the fiddleyard was bolted on, spanning into the storage rack. All six boards were in place, with 280mm to spare off the back wall. Storage cassettes were added to the fiddleyard roads and were also satisfactorily tested for ease of connection and removal. Both control panels and looms were fitted, but each half was tested separately, before finally trying the whole layout - which (unbelievably) worked perfectly!!!!!
A random selection of photos showing the combined sections:
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| Engine shed board abutting the seldom-seen side of the bridge. |
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| The hidden 'Quarry line' between WC and the fiddleyard. |
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| Worton Courts long-awaited engine shed, just the other side of the bridge. |
The masons factory building with its private siding will sit across the end of the layout, hiding the fiddleyard. A fairly bulky building was planned to act as the backdrop, but this will now have to be considered in respect of access to the fiddleyard cassettes. Maybe alternative buildings for the workshop and exhibition formats would be appropriate? |
| The only problem is having to get on your hands and knees to reach the storage racking on the far side. |
Afterthoughts:
Why didn't we think about this format in the first place and save having to build the 4 transition boards? We don't think it ever occurred to us! However, we were used to being able to walk around the end of the 4-board layout to reach the storage racking and to work on the other side of the layout, so forming a solid 'wall' probably didn't seem sensible. During this inaugural session, it became a nuisance crawling on hands and knees to get something from the far side, so it is not ideal. Maybe just for occasional running sessions. We also have the transition boards to finish, so both formats will have their time.
Train handover - As the layout was being operated, the handover stopping places soon came up for discussion. The key point - The 'Local' operator on the new boards can give control of the new boards to Worton Court, but not vice versa. So, a mainline train from the fiddleyard to WC has two options a) The WC operator is given full control of the Masons boards and drives the train the whole way or b) The Masons operator drives the train and stops in front of the bridge, i.e. as far as the local electrical control goes and isolates it. When the WC operator was ready, the mainline was handed over to WC control. However, it was decided that being able to run up to the signal on WC would make more sense. Rather than create a new section on WC, and adding a new panel switch, a section could be created that was controlled by a local (under baseboard) switch that would be set to suit the session. To be continued! Trains running to the fiddleyard on the mainline would remain at WC until both operators were ready for the WC operator to drive at least to the road crossing. The quarry line is pretty straightforward. The fiddleyard operator can set the route control to WC and let the operator drive all the way through when ready and then isolate the route on the WC panel.
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| Geoff marked the trestle feet positions for future reference. |
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| We also put some of the new boards into the racking with the scenery in place which fitted! |
A truly memorable day.
